Marquiz Baker scored 23 points off the bench for Alcorn State (2-10) which lost its sixth straight game. Anthony Nieves and LeAntwan Luckett each chipped in 11 points.

Despite shooting just 35.1 percent in the first half, Santa Clara led 31-26 at intermission by limiting Alcorn State to 27.6 percent shooting.

Both teams improved in the second half with the Broncos hitting on 44.0 percent of their shots from the field. Alcorn State made a more meager improvement and connected on 33.3 percent of its field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes.

Santa Clara outscored Alcorn State by a 32-18 margin on points in the paint. The Broncos will square off with Wagner in the second day of the event while Alcorn State will be matched up with SMU.